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Photometric and photographic observations of the long-period variable VV Cephei at the time of its eclipse from 1976 to 1978 are reported. The photoelectric standard UBV observations and photographic R(o)I(o) observations reveal the usual semiregular variations and a short-period flickering in U light. Evaluation of the contact times in B and U indicates that the duration of totality is much shorter than predicted, while the entire eclipse is much longer. Estimates of the dimensions of the two components based on the B and U light curves suggest that the primary M supergiant fills its Roche lobe and produces the gas streaming between the two stars.

INTRODUCTION: Despite opioids' recognized role in the treatment of moderate/severe musculoskeletal chronic pain, their long-term benefits need investigation. We explored the lasting analgesic efficacy, tolerability, influence on life quality, and chronicity stage of the novel prolonged release (PR) opioid, tapentadol, in 30 outpatients. METHODS: We evaluated patients' pain intensity and relief (Numerical Rating Scale; NRS), adverse effects, sleep quality, treatment satisfaction, health status (12-questions Health-Survey; SF-12), chronicity stage (Italian Mainz Pain-Staging System; I-MPSS) at 10, 30, 60, and 90 days after tapentadol prescription. RESULTS: At follow-ups, the investigated outcomes showed an overall statistically significant (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) improvement and remained stable over time, as did the health status and chronicity stage. Adverse effects were limited, transitory, and tolerable. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of PR tapentadol in outpatients with moderate/severe chronic musculoskeletal pain showed satisfactory analgesic efficacy and tolerability, and had a positive influence on life quality and chronicity stage. The results are robust enough to warrant a subsequent study with a larger sample and a longer observation period. PMID:25558866